Both of these early works are fiercely dissonant with little conventional
thematic development. Despite this fact, both seem to work marvelously
as miniature tone poems. This is powerful, uncompromising music. The music
by other composers is also very good, but Ives' works are the most impressive.
Most likely, this is not a disc that you will regularly listen to from
start to finish. It's just a bit too much of the same tones--for me at
least! But I certainly have enjoyed it in smaller doses. And the Ives
works are fabulous.

This generously filled all-Ives disc is an impressive recording. It includes
solid readings of the two string quartets. (The First SQ is especially
good.) And the other works that accompany the string quartets are all
outstanding. If you'd like to hear Ives' chamber works for string quartet,
this is a good place to start.

"The Gong on the Hook and Ladder" is one of Ives' sound paintings, very
much along the lines of "Central Park in the Dark" or "Over the Pavements."
In this case, the clanging gong is sounded by the piano, while the rest
of ensemble scrambles along in support. "Hallowe'en" is suitably mystical.
It's yet another of Ives' evocations of a childhood holiday scene. The
ensemble also performs "In Re Con Moto et al" with precision and authority.

This LP features impressive performances, which range from the lyrical
introspection of the "Largos" to the free-for-all dissonances
of "Largo Risolutos." The performers capture both the home-like,
familiar qualities and the strange, ear-bending tones that often
run side-by-side in this music. This out-of-print LP is definitely worth
tracking down.

Lukas
Foss (conductor) / Members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra / "Americana:
20th Century Works for Orchestra" (Vox Allegretto, coupled
with works by other American composers, out of print)

This recording includes a solid reading of Ives' "From the Steeples
and the Mountains." I understand that Foss frequently performed this
work; it was one of his orchestral "calling cards." I like the
performance very much, although I admit to finding the London
Gabrieli Brass Ensemble's version to be more compelling. Their focused
intensity and more extreme dissonance make for a more dramatic recording.
(I can't comment on any of the other works on this Vox set, as I have
not heard them.)

This is a good performance of the Largo for Clarinet, Violin and Piano.
In fact, it's my favorite piece on this disc. But--if you can find it--I
prefer the recording that features Zukofsky, Kalish, and Charles Russo
on the Columbia LP (M 30230). The other recordings on this CD never quite
catch fire.

Along with the Violin Sonatas and Piano Trio, this Vox Box includes an
LP's-worth of miscellaneous "other" chamber works by CEI. The
performances are good, but none are definitive. You would do better to
track down the Columbia LP featuring Paul Zukofsky and Gilbert Kalish
("Charles Ives Chamber Music: Four First Recordings" on Columbia
Masterworks) described above, rather than this
set. All of the other works in this Vox Box are also included on that
Columbia LP--except for the "Three Quarter Tone Pieces for Two Pianos"
(and the Violin Sonatas).